Changing the Conversation About Medicare
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Changing the Conversation About Medicare Debra Whitman, EVP, Policy, Strategy & International Affairs Lina Walker, Director, Health Policy, Public Policy Institute AARP November 6, 2013
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Changing the Conversation About Medicare. Debra Whitman, EVP, Policy, Strategy & International Affairs Lina Walker, Director, Health Policy, Public Policy Institute AARP November 6, 2013. Some Medicare Reform Proposals Affecting Beneficiaries. Restructuring Medicare A/B - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Changing the Conversation About Medicare
Changing the Conversation About Medicare
Debra Whitman, EVP, Policy, Strategy & International AffairsLina Walker, Director, Health Policy, Public Policy InstituteAARPNovember 6, 2013
Some Medicare Reform Proposals Affecting Beneficiaries
• Restructuring Medicare A/B• Raising Medicare’s eligibility age• Restricting
supplemental insurance coverage for Medicare
….among others
Implications of Most Proposals
Asking Medicare beneficiaries to pay more;
and/orBlunt cuts to providers
Lower federal spending by:
Often Overlooked……Medicare beneficiaries are not wealthy
• Half with annual income: $22,500 a year, or less (median)
• Half with very little savings: $63,100 (median)
By Race Median Income Median Savings
Blacks $15,250 11,650
Hispanics $13,800 12,050
Among Blacks and Hispanics:
Often Overlooked……Beneficiaries already pay a lot
Under 65 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85+
Total OOP Spending as Percent of Income (median)
13.4% 11.8% 16.8% 18.9% 22.1% 24.8%
Burden of Out of Pocket Spending by Age
• Half spent at least 16.4% of incomeout-of-pocket (median)
• Burden of out-of-pocket spending: high and increases with age
Misconceptions: Not Just Capitol Hill
Many don’t know:• 17% of Medicare beneficiaries
under 65• Will face high out-of-pocket
costs in Medicare• Long-term care, dental, vision, hearing aids not
covered by Medicare• Higher-income beneficiaries already contribute
more
Few Are Aware…New Medicare innovations, could save money
• Part of health reform law, testing new care models• Private sector and states working together to
innovate
Focus of new models:
Improve quality, Patient experience Lower costs
Funders: Disseminate What We Know and Gather More Evidence
Funders can provide:Accurate, unbiased information to consumers
and opinion leaders (local, state, federal)Bring balance to the discussion: discuss federal
budget but also consumer impact. More research needed: impact on older persons
Promote new models of care – more funding to support CMMI projects, and to go beyond those projects
Reforming Medicare Physician Incentives
• Fee-for-service payments – not the wave of the future (recently released bipartisan/bicameral draft proposal)
• Impact will vary across physician groups (primary vs various specialty groups)
• Some doctors threatening to leave Medicare
Funders Can Illuminate Truth & Dispel Myths
Are Medicare physicians under- or over-paid? Are doctors leaving Medicare?
Need local data, funding for surveys at the community level
More Active Role for Consumers
What role can consumers play? • More shared decision making. Eg: Choosing Wisely.Challenges: • Limited information on quality and costs, • Not always consumer-friendly
Funders: Support Better Tools for Consumers
Educate need for & fund:• More transparency• Standardized measures• Translators – turn
complicated information into consumer-friendly tools/steps
Thank you!
Debra Whitman, [email protected] Walker, [email protected] us at https://twitter.com/AARPpolicyNovember 6, 2013
